Ranking NFL’s top 15 linebackers

16Who is replacing the best…

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Now that top NFL linebackers like of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis have called it quits in recent seasons, middle linebackers in today’s NFL seemingly fly under the radar. We’re not in the golden age of linebacker play. There’s no Lawrence Taylor making his presence known.

This doesn’t mean that there’s not all-time greats taking to the field every Sunday. From perennial All-Pro NFL top-100 performer Bobby Wagner to another young linebacker in San Francisco, the NFC West is filled with promising players.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have elite-level duos to call their own.